Obituaries

James Douglas Anderson

James Douglas Anderson, age 71, of Dassel, died Friday, Dec. 1, 2006 at his home.

He was born April 22, 1935 in Kingston Township, Meeker County, the son of Arthur and Senja (Soderback) Anderson. He attended the Big Swan Lake district school before attending the Dassel High School, where he graduated in 1953.

After graduating from high school, James served from 1955 until 1957 in the Army. Upon being discharged, he returned home.

James was united in marriage to Kay Hedlund Aug. 22, 1959, at the North Crow River Lutheran Church, rural Cokato. Together, they made their home in Kingston, Dassel, the Darwin hills, and for the past years, the Kingston prairie.

Jim co-owned and operated Anderson Brothers Trucking, was a feed salesmen, an appliance repairman, and after retirement, drove charter and school bus for Holt Motors.

He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his dogs in the woods. He was a gifted wood worker, and made many gifts of snowmen and angels over the years.

Jim was also a very talented wood carver, making mainly wood decoys. He knew how to fix anything, and often could be found helping others out.

He was a gifted baseball player, who played for both Kingston and Dassel in the past.

Every morning, rain or shine, Jim could be found having coffee with the guys. He especially enjoyed the time that he would spend with his grandchildren.

James is survived by his wife, Kay, of Dassel; son Steven (Kellie) of Dassel; daughter Dona (Gary) DePerry of Milwaukee, Wis.; and five grandchildren: Chad, Hunter, and Logan Anderson, Maison and Elliot DePerry.

He is further survived by brothers Art (Mildred) Anderson of Cokato, Arnie Anderson of Dassel, Harold Anderson of Dassel, and Carold (Lois) Anderson of Dassel; sisters Elaine Ruopsa of Phoenix, Ariz., Louise (Lawrence) Kilpela of Cokato, and Margaret (Douglas) Engelson of Litchfield; and sister-in-law Helen Anderson of Little Falls; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

James was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Donald; and one sister, Mildred Nelson.

A memorial service took place Monday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel with the Revs. Steven Olson and John Peterson officiating. There was a time to gather one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial arrangements were handled by the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel.